Police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters and warned the public not to engage in criminal activity, it added.

Two weeks ago, a government-appointed tribunal ruled that Mr Lukwago had failed to convene meetings, had disobeyed administrative directives and had incited the public to withhold taxes.

Mr Lukwago told the BBC's Focus on Africa radio programme that he condemned his removal from office.

"There's no respect for the constitution, for the rule of law, for democratic governance," he said.

Earlier, he described the tribunal, headed by a judge, as a kangaroo court and said President Yoweri Museveni was behind the move to oust him in order to open the way for his allies to take control of the city following their defeat in the 2011 election.

A government minister in the presidency, Frank Tumwebaze, chaired the council meeting where Mr Lukwago was voted out.

The mayor had 21 days to appeal against his dismissal, failing which his seat will be declared vacant and a by-election will be held, Mr Tumwebaze said.